REVOLTE: REDE DES PRÄSIDENTEN IN "DEMASKIERUNG
REVOLT: THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH IN "FALL OUT"

Interpretiert von
performed by
Kenneth Griffith

"Demaskierung" ist die abschließende episode von NUMMER 6, und entstand monate nach "Pas de deux", mit der zusammen sie das doppelfinale bildet. Nach der reihenfolge ihrer entstehung war "Demaskierung" auch die letzte episode. Es gilt als gesichert, dass Patrick McGoohan sein skript dazu innerhalb von vielleicht einem wochenende verfasste. Weite teile dieser episode bleiben nicht zuletzt deshalb ohne dialog. Dieses serienfinale erregte die britische öffentlichkeit so sehr, dass McGoohan einige zeit später in die USA ging. Nachfolgend die niederschrift der redepassagen, dargebracht von schauspieler Kenneth Griffith, zuvor bereits darsteller des verrückten wissenschaftlers Schnipps, in der episode "--3-2-1-0", der sich für Napoleon hält, ergänzt um kurze handlungserläuterungen. Griffith übernimmt hier den prominenten part des versammlungsleiters in der roten robe eines britischen Lordrichters vor einem auditorium seltsamer in weiße gewänder gekleideter gestalten mit schwarz-weißen gesichtsmasken. Den text der rede hatte Griffith selbst verfasst. Nach dem psychoduell mit Nummer Zwei in "Pas de deux", das er als sieger überstanden hat, wird Nummer Sechs in eine unterirdische höhle geführt Gut die hälfte der zeit widmet das drehbuch diesen ereignissen. Die dialoge sind hier im original wiedergegeben, die deutsche synchronversion ist auf DVD erhältlich. Kenneth Griffith: Versammlungspräsident Alexis Kanner: jugendlicher Nummer 48 Leo McKern: vorige Nummer Zwei

"Fall Out", the ultimate PRISONER episode, was produced months after "Once Upon A Time" both of which form the series' double finale. "Fall Out" eventually became the last episode to be scripted, shot and post-produced. It is commonly known that Patrick McGoohan worked out his "Fall Out" script over the period of perhaps a weekend. It is therefore that there is no dialogue at all in large portions of it. This conclusion to the series was causing heavy excitement in the British public. Therefore, McGoohan left Great Britain for the USA a short time later. What follows here is a transscript of the President's words performed by actor Kenneth Griffith who previously had played the role of mad scientist Schnipps in the "The Girl Who Was Death" episode, imagining he was Napoleon. Interspersed are short descriptions of the action during that specific scene. Griffith's memorable role is that of the President of the assembly, an auditorium of various characters dressed in white hoods and wearing black-and-white face masks. Griffith wrote the words of his speech himself. Having overcome the psychological battle of wits against Number Two in "Once Upon A Time" Number Six is lead into a cavern before a strange auditorium which appears to be a tribunal. Roughly half the episode running time is dedicated to what happens down in the subterranean cavern. Kenneth Griffith: President of the assembly Alexis Kanner: the youth Number 48 Leo McKern: former Number Two

Episode "Fall Out"

President: This session is called in a matter of democratic crisis. And we are gatherd together to resolve the question of revolt. We desire that proceedings be conducted in a civilized manner. But remind ourselves that humanity is not humanized without force. And that every children must sometimes be brougth a book with smack on their backside.

We draw your attention to the regrettable bullet. The community is at stake and we have the means to protect it. The assembly is now in security. ... We understand he's survived the ultimate test. ... Then he must no longer be referred to as Number Six.or a number of any kind. He has gloriously vindicated the right of the individual to be individual.

And this assembly rises to you - Sir! (Applause)

So, we crave your indulgence for a short while... The, err, transfer of ultimate power requires some tedious ceremony and, perhaps, you would care to observe the preliminaries from the - chair of honour.

(Number Six takes his place on a big chair, a "throne", on top of the pedestal.)

President: Sir, we thank you and promise to be as brief as possible.

("For he's a jolly good fellow" is heard on the soundtrack. Then the mobile chamber of the previous episode with the dead body of Number Two is opened. A siren sound attracts the President's attention to a rocket-like tube with the number "1" on it while a green eye is blinking. He turns to a big video screen where the dead Number Two is seen.)

President: Resuscitate!

("Once Upon A Time" footage is screend backwards, thus Number Two coming to life again.)

President: Revolution!

(Smiling)

Get him out! - Key!

(The Butler opens the bars of the mobile chamber, Number Two is laid on a stretcher. He steps on the pedestal and takes a bow before Number Six, takes the place beside him. The body of former Number Two receives shave and hair-cut.)

President: Revolt... can take many forms. And here we have three specific instances. Number 48...

(A young man, hippie-style, with a top hat emerges from a steam hole in the floor where he has been enchained.)

Number 48: Thanks for the trip, dad!

President: Be grateful for the opportunity of pleading your case before the assembly!

(Number 48 acts erratically, singing "Dem bones" causing excitement among the hooded assembly.)

President: Number 48...!!! Number 48...!!!

(Again the siren sound is heard, the green eye is blinking. The President has Number 48 released from the chains who climbs out from his capsule.)

President: Youth, with its enthusiasms which rebels against any accepted norm because it must - and we sympathize - it may wear flowers in its hair, bells on its toes. But - when the common good is threatened, when the function of society is endangered, such revolts must cease. They are non-productive - and must be abolished!

(Number 48 rings a small bell.)

President: Number 48...

Number 48: "Here the word of the Lord...!"

(He runs around the cavern, entailing considerable disturbance, reciting and singing the "Dem bones" song while guards try to catch him. Number Six eventually addresses him and he eases off.)

President: Sir, we thank you for your kindly intervention. But fear that such familiarity is not in keeping with procedure! We must maintain the status quo! Now, Number...

(The "number-1-sound" distracts him. He turns to the direction of the green eye, listening...)

... yes, of course. Naturally it would expedite matters. Very well.

(To the guards) Your places!

Sir, it would appear to temporarily we may use the new form of address in order to bring these proceedings to an early and satisfactory conclusion.

(He turns round to the auditorium.)

Those in favour? Carried! We're obliged - Sir...

(The President and Number 48 engage in an increasing battle of words, the whole assembly pounding on their desks. The President, almost losing control, wants Number 48 to "confess" while 48 resumes the "Dem bones" song which is then heard on the soundtrack performed by the Four Lads. Number Six and the Butler keep watching. The hooded characters, even the President swing and clap hands to the music.)

President: Hip, hip, hip...!

The hooded assembly: Hooray!

Number 48: And hear the word of the Lord.

President: Guilty! Read the charge!

One of the hooded, labeled "Anarchists": The prisoner has been charged with the most serious breech of social etiquette...

(Number 48 rings his bell.)

One of the hooded, labeled "Anarchists": Total defiance of the elementary laws which sustain our community. Questioning the decisions of those we voted to govern us. Unhealthy aspects of speech and dressed not in accordance with general practice. And the refusal to observe, wear or respond to his number.

(Number 48 rings his bell.)

President: Sir, you approve the proceedings...!

Number Six: I... - note them.

President: Sir, I take it you have no comment to this stage.

Number Six: Not at this stage.

President: Then the accused will be held in the place of sentence until after your - inauguration. Remove him!

(Number 48 is taken away by the guards without resistance. While he is chained and sunk into the ground hole he sings "Dem bones". The President apologizes to Number Six for Number 48's demeanour.)

President: Next...

(The face of the former Number Two is displayed on the big screen while he rises from his seat, not quite sure what's happening to him. He sees himself on the screen laughing out loudly, and so are the audience and the guards. He raises his hand.)

Former Number Two: I feel a new man! (Laughing)

(He walks up to Number Six on his big chair and shakes his hand.)

Former Number Two: My dear chap! How've you been keeping? (Regards the chair.) Throne at last, eh? I knew that it had to be.

(Towards the Butler:) And you, my little friend? Ever faithful, hm?! Come on! (But the Butler won't leave his position next to Number Six.)

New allegiances. Such is the price of fame - and failure... (Towards the auditorium:) Ladies and gentlemen! A most extraordinary thing happend to me on my way, here.

(Applause by the hooded auditorium. He climbs the rostrum and addresses the auditorium, recounting the powerful position he had held previously when the Village authorities - meaningfully he glances at the President - abducted him and brought him to this place. He regrets having resisted only for a short time. On the screen scenes of him collapsing are shown and he realises that he had actually died during the psychological battle of "Degree Absolute" in the previous episode. He wonders how that could have been done. "You couldn't even let me rest in peace", he says to the President. But the President only tells him that still there is some security information that a former Number Two isn't allowed to receive. Asked by Number Six if he'd ever met Number One he breaks out in laughter. The green "number-1-eye" makes itself heard again. Former Number Two looks at it provokingly, demands it to look into his own eyes. He is admonished by the President that he'll die.)

Former Number Two: Then I'll die with my own mind. You'll hypnotize me no longer.

(He throws away his Number Two badge. The green eye shuts completely, steam leaking from the tube/rocket. Former Number Two spits at the green eye. Number Six has him secured until further notice in an underground device similar to that of Number 48. While he is lead away by the guards he laughs defiantly at the President who continues to proceed with his speech.)

President: We... - have just witnessed two forms of revolt. The first, uncoordinated youth. Rebelling against nothing it can define. The second, an established, successful, secure member of the establishment turning upon and biting the hand that feeds him. Well, these attitudes are dangerous. They contribute nothing to our culture - and are to be stamped out!

(Applause. Again the "number-1-eye" blinks. An image of Number Six' London residence is shown, the "For sale" sign is removed.)

President: At the other end of the scale we are honoured to have with us a revolutionary of a different calibre. He has revolted. Resisted. Fought. Held fast. Maintained. Destroyed resistance. Overcome coercion. The right to be a Person, Someone, or Individual. We applaud his private war and concede that despite materialistic efforts he has survived intact and secure. All that remains is recognition of a Man. A man of steel. A man magnificently equipped to lead us. That is, lead us - or go. In this connection we have a prize. You will see that your home is being made ready. Above and beyond this we have the means for you to desert us and go anywhere.

(One of the hooded and masked presents the following...)

Key to your house.
Traveller's cheques, a million.
Passport, valid for anywhere.
And, err, petty cash. - You are free to go.

Number Six: Free to go...

President: Anywhere!

Number Six: Why?

President: You have been such an example to us.

Number Six: Why?

President: You've convinced us of our mistakes.

Number Six: Why?

President: You're pure, you know the way. Show us!

Number Six: Why?

President: Your revolt is good and honest. You are the only individual. We need you.

Number Six: I see.

President: You do. You see all.

Number Six: I'm an individual?

President: Your are on your own.

Number Six: I fail to see.

President: All about you is... - yours. We concede. We offer. We plead for you to lead us.

Number Six: Or go.

President: Go if you wish.

Number Six: Err, I don't know.

(The Presidents points towards the rostrum.)

President: Take the stand! Address us!

Number Six: Should I?

President: You must. You are the greatest. Make a statement, a true statement which could only be yours, but for us! Remember us, don't forget us! Keep us in mind. Sir! We are all yours.

(Applauded by the auditorium Number Six takes his belongings, then gets up the rostrum stairs to start his speech.)

Number Six: I...

The hooded auditorium (echoing): I, I, I...!

(Number Six starts again.)

Number Six: I feel....

The hooded auditorium (Slamming fists fiercely on the desks) : I, I, I... Aye, aye, aye...!

(Number Six starts anew but remains unheard in the noise. This keeps going on. The President standing in front of him, observing attentively. There's anger on Number Six' face, he even cries out. As the President calmly raises his hand the noise subsides.)

President: Sir, on behalf of us all - we thank you! And, now I take it that you are prepared to meet, err, Number One. Follow me if you'll be so kind! Sir.

(Fanfare and, again, the song "For he's a jolly good fellow" is heard as Number Six and the President walk off.)

Episode "Fall Out"